If you’ve spent a long time holding things together for everyone else - at work, at home, in your care of others - you may have reached a point where something needs to shift.
I support people who feel overwhelmed, anxious, or are quietly burning out. You might look like you’re coping on the outside, but inside you feel constantly wired, disconnected, or just done. Therapy is your space to breathe again - to be seen, heard, and supported without pressure.
I’m Jolian Ardolino, a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist based in Barry, South Wales, accredited by the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). I offer in-person therapy at my Barry practice and online counselling to clients across the UK.
Why I Do This Work
I’ve been there - and come out the other side.
For years, I’ve led frontline services across England and Wales for national health and care charities. I saw first-hand how the weight of responsibility, stretched systems, and constant emotional labour can take a toll - on practitioners, managers, and leaders alike.
You hold everything together for everyone else. You’re the one people come to. But who is there for you?
I know what it’s like to carry the pressure, to feel overwhelmed, to start disconnecting from yourself while still performing on the outside. That’s why I created Ardolino Counselling - a space for people like you to feel seen, supported, and steady again.
Professional Background
Before becoming a therapist, I worked in senior leadership roles overseeing large support service teams across England and Wales. I’ve supported NHS partnerships, managed dementia, bereavement and cancer care services, and led frontline teams through high-pressure environments and constant change.
These experiences shaped how I understand stress, burnout, and the quiet emotional toll of care work. They also fuel my commitment to offering something different: therapy that recognises the complexity of your role and helps you reconnect with who you are - beyond the job title, beyond the to-do list.
I hold:
A Level 5 Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
An MSc (Res) in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences
A BSc (Hons) in Psychology
Accreditation with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
How I Work
I use an integrative approach, which means our sessions are shaped around you - not the other way around. I draw from:
Person-Centred Therapy – for compassion and emotional safety, recognising your individual strengths
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) – for managing anxious thoughts and behaviours, the gold standard of evidence-based therapy
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) – for helping you reconnect with your values and find balance
Psychodynamic and relational insights – to understand deeper patterns in your relationships
Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, health worries, burnout, or panic attacks, therapy with me is about slowing down, making sense of what’s happening, and finding a more grounded way forward - one that fits your life and your pace.
Supporting Professionals with Anxiety – Meet Jolian Ardolino
Qualifications, Training & Issues I support
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I’m an NCPS-accredited integrative therapist with a strong academic background and a commitment to ongoing learning. My training is grounded in both psychological theory and real-world practice - always focused on helping you feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control.
Core Qualifications
Level 5 Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
A specialist qualification in providing relational, evidence-based therapy tailored to individual needs.MSc (Research) in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences
Advanced academic training that brings a research-informed approach to understanding anxiety, stress and emotional patterns.BSc (Hons) in Psychology
A solid foundation in human behaviour, mental health, and emotional wellbeing that underpins all my work.Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Core training in creating a safe, empathic therapeutic space where clients can feel heard and understood.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
I regularly update my knowledge and skills through advanced CPD to ensure the support I offer is relevant, effective and responsive to your needs.
Recent training includes:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Helping clients manage anxiety, burnout and fear by reconnecting with what truly matters to them.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Tools
Evidence-based strategies to manage overthinking, anxiety and panic symptoms.Gestalt Psychotherapy
Supporting clients to become more aware of what’s happening in the moment and express it - emotionally, physically and relationally - and what “unfinished business” may be causing anxiety.Working with Guilt, Shame and Self-Criticism
For those who feel like they’re never good enough or doing enough, no matter how hard they try.Bereavement & Loss Therapy
Helping clients navigate grief, transitions and long-term life changes. Loss isn’t just about death, it could be loss of purpose, loss of self and self-identity.Online & Telephone Counselling
Ensuring secure, high-quality support wherever you are.
My approach brings together everything I’ve learned - from research, training, and years of working with real people - to create a space where you can feel safe, seen, and supported as you explore whatever’s been weighing you down.
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I specialise in therapy for anxiety, burnout, and panic attacks - especially for professionals who are outwardly coping but privately overwhelmed. Many of my clients work in health, social care, or emotionally demanding roles where it’s hard to slow down, speak up, or ask for help.
If you’re feeling anxious, stuck, or worn out, you’re not alone - and you don’t have to keep pushing through.
Therapy for Anxiety and Overthinking
Struggling to switch off? Caught in spirals of overthinking or “what ifs”? I offer counselling for anxiety that helps you calm your nervous system, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and feel more grounded and present in your daily life.
Panic Attack Counselling
Whether it’s tightness in your chest, racing thoughts, or ending up in A&E afraid it’s a heart attack, we’ll work gently to reduce fear, understand triggers, and build your sense of safety.
Burnout Therapy for Professionals
Feeling emotionally drained, disconnected, or constantly “switched on”? Burnout can creep in slowly and affect every part of life. I support professionals who give a lot to others - helping them create boundaries, prevent overload, and reconnect with themselves.
Counselling for Health Anxiety
When you’re always checking symptoms, seeking reassurance, or fearing something serious, health anxiety can be exhausting. Therapy can help you break the cycle of fear and worry, reduce checking behaviours, and rebuild trust in your body.
Grief and Bereavement Counselling
Losing someone you care about can turn your world upside down. Whether your grief is recent or something you’ve carried quietly for years, I offer a space to express, remember, and heal at your own pace.
Support for Low Self-Esteem and People-Pleasing
If you’re always putting others first, feel uncomfortable asserting your needs, or battle a harsh inner critic - therapy can help. We’ll explore the roots of self-doubt and help you build confidence, self-worth, and clearer boundaries.
Other Areas I Support With:
Therapy for phobias and avoidance
Support with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours (OCD)
Anger and frustration management
Emotional numbness or feeling “shut down”
Self-sabotage and behaviour patterns that hold you back
Life transitions, loss of identity, or feeling stuck without knowing why
Not sure if therapy is right for you?
You don’t need a diagnosis to reach out. If something feels off - anxiety, panic, stress, or just feeling “not like yourself” - I’m here to explore it with you, without pressure.
Client Testimonials